Anterior spinal artery ischemia syndrome — A possible complication following surgery for the correction of scoliosis

Abstract

Two cases of anterior spinal artery ischemia syndrome (ASAS) were reported after surgery for the correction of scoliosis in a series of 54 patients and 72 operations. The paraplegia of case 1 was caused by ligation of the segmental vessels. Case 2 developed delayed paraplcgia after correction of kyphoscoliosis including the region from T₄ to T₉. There were definite clinical manifestations indicating the diagnosis of ASAS, Hyperbaric oxygen and vasodilation therapy was effective and the patients gained satisfactory recovery. The authors recommend a modified technique for the anterior route surgery of sparing the segmental vessels and a more conservative planning for the correction of kyphoscoliosis in the region from T₄ to T₉.

Keywords

Anterior spinal artery syndrome / scoliosis / complication / correction surgery

References

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